U.S. patent application number 15/260758 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-30 for saddle type vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yuichi YOKOYAMA.
Application Number | 20170087977 15/260758 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56567508 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170087977 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOKOYAMA; Yuichi |
March 30, 2017 |
SADDLE TYPE VEHICLE
Abstract
A saddle type vehicle which can cool a battery efficiently by a
simple configuration. The saddle type vehicle includes a battery
case accommodating a battery therein and is provided in a space
positioned above an engine, which configures part of a power unit,
below a seat (occupants' seat) and overlapping with the engine and
the seat in an upward and downward direction of a vehicle body. A
cooling fan configured to discharge air rearwardly is provided at a
rear end of the battery case.
Inventors: |
YOKOYAMA; Yuichi; (Wako-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
56567508 |
Appl. No.: |
15/260758 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62M 7/06 20130101; B62K
5/10 20130101; B60K 2001/005 20130101; Y10S 903/903 20130101; B60K
1/04 20130101; B62K 5/05 20130101; B62K 11/04 20130101; B60K 11/08
20130101; B62J 43/00 20200201; B62K 5/08 20130101; B62K 5/027
20130101; B60Y 2306/05 20130101; B60K 11/06 20130101; B60Y 2200/122
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60K 11/06 20060101
B60K011/06; B62M 7/06 20060101 B62M007/06; B60K 11/08 20060101
B60K011/08; B60K 1/04 20060101 B60K001/04; B62K 11/04 20060101
B62K011/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 24, 2015 |
JP |
2015-186793 |
Claims
1. A saddle vehicle comprising: a power unit disposed below an
occupants' seat; a battery; a cooling fan for cooling the battery;
and a battery case accommodating the battery and being provided in
a space positioned above the power unit, below the occupants' seat
and overlapping with the power unit and the occupants' seat in an
upward and downward direction of a vehicle body; the cooling fan
being provided at a rear end of the battery case and configured to
discharge air rearwardly.
2. The saddle vehicle according to claim 1, and further including a
fin positioned on an outer surface of the battery case.
3. The saddle vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the fin directs
a flow of air to the cooling fan.
4. The saddle vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising: a
stay configured to attach the cooling fan to the battery case; said
stay extending in parallel to the fin.
5. The saddle vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising: a
stay configured to attach the cooling fan to the battery case; said
stay extending in parallel to the fin.
6. The saddle vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the cooling fan
is fixed to a center in a vehicle widthwise direction of a rear
face of the battery case, and a rotary vane of the cooling fan
overlaps with the rear face of the battery case as viewed in a rear
elevational view.
7. The saddle vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the cooling fan
is fixed to a center in a vehicle widthwise direction of a rear
face of the battery case, and a rotary vane of the cooling fan
overlaps with the rear face of the battery case as viewed in a rear
elevational view.
8. The saddle vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the cooling fan
is fixed to a center in a vehicle widthwise direction of a rear
face of the battery case, and a rotary vane of the cooling fan
overlaps with the rear face of the battery case as viewed in a rear
elevational view.
9. The saddle vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the cooling fan
is fixed to a center in a vehicle widthwise direction of a rear
face of the battery case, and a rotary vane of the cooling fan
overlaps with the rear face of the battery case as viewed in a rear
elevational view.
10. The saddle vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a
cover member configured to cover an outer surface of the battery
case; said cover member having an external air inlet configured to
take in external air toward an outer surface of the battery
case.
11. The saddle vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising: a
cover member configured to cover an outer surface of the battery
case; said cover member having an external air inlet configured to
take in external air toward an outer surface of the battery
case.
12. The saddle vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the power
unit includes an engine including a plurality of cylinders spaced
from each other in a forward and rearward direction of the vehicle
body; and said battery case is disposed above the engine.
13. The saddle vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: the power
unit includes an engine including a plurality of cylinders spaced
from each other in a forward and rearward direction of the vehicle
body; and said battery case is disposed above the engine.
14. The saddle vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an air outlet
of the cooling fan is positioned rearwardly of occupant's steps on
which a passenger is to place his/her feet.
15. The saddle vehicle according to claim 2, wherein an air outlet
of the cooling fan is positioned rearwardly of occupant's steps on
which a passenger is to place his/her feet.
16. The saddle vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an air outlet
of the cooling fan is directed to a rear fender which covers a rear
wheel.
17. The saddle vehicle according to claim 2, wherein an air outlet
of the cooling fan is directed to a rear fender which covers a rear
wheel.
18. A saddle vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame; an occupant's
seat mounted on the vehicle frame; a power unit disposed below the
occupants' seat; a battery; a cooling fan for cooling the battery;
and a battery case accommodating the battery, said battery case
being provided in a space positioned above the power unit, below
the occupants' seat and overlapping with the power unit and the
occupants' seat in an upward and downward direction of a vehicle
body; the cooling fan being provided at a rear end of the battery
case and configured to discharge air rearwardly.
19. The saddle vehicle according to claim 18, and further including
a fin positioned on an outer surface of the battery case.
20. The saddle vehicle according to claim 19, wherein the fin
directs a flow of air to the cooling fan.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to
Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-186793 filed Sep. 24, 2015 the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle which
includes a battery and a cooling fan for cooling the battery.
[0004] 2. Description of Background Art
[0005] Various proposals have been made for a structure for cooling
a battery in a saddle type vehicle such as a motorcycle. One saddle
type vehicle, an electric vehicle, is available wherein a battery
box for accommodating a battery therein is provided with a tubular
introduction port for introducing external air therethrough and a
discharge port for discharging the external air after cooling the
battery therethrough. In addition, a cooling fan is provided in the
tubular introduction port. See, for example, Japanese Patent
Laid-Open No. 1992-24185.
[0006] However, if the cooling fan is provided in an introduction
path interconnecting the introduction port and the discharge port,
then the cooling fan and a motor provided for the cooling fan
disturb a flow of cooling air. Further, the structure wherein the
cooling fan is provided in the introduction path is complicated in
configuration and is liable to give rise to complication of
mounting and dismounting works and an increase with respect to the
number of parts.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, it is an object of an embodiment of the present
invention to provide a saddle type vehicle wherein a battery can be
cooled efficiently with a simple configuration.
[0008] In order to solve the problems described above, according to
an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a saddle
type vehicle including a power unit (14) disposed below an
occupants' seat (17), a battery, and a cooling fan (100) for
cooling the battery, a battery case (41) accommodating the battery
and being provided in a space positioned above the power unit (14)
below the occupants' seat (17) and overlapping with the power unit
(14) and the occupants' seat (17) in an upward and downward
direction of a vehicle body. The cooling fan (100) is provided at a
rear end of the battery case (41) and is configured to discharge
air rearwardly.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
saddle type vehicle may be configured such that the battery case
(41) has a fin (112) on an outer surface thereof. Further, the
saddle type vehicle may be configured such that the fin (112) is
directed to the cooling fan (100). Further, the saddle type vehicle
may be configured such that it further includes a stay (121)
configured to attach the cooling fan (100) to the battery case (41)
with the stay (121) extending in parallel to the fin (112).
[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
saddle type vehicle may be configured such that the cooling fan
(100) is fixed to the center in a vehicle widthwise direction of a
rear face of the battery case (41) with a rotary vane (100B) of the
cooling fan 100 overlapping with the rear face of the battery case
(41) as viewed in rear elevation. Further, the saddle type vehicle
may be configured such that it further includes a cover member
(26B) configured to cover an outer surface of the battery case
(41), the cover member (26B) having an external air inlet (26K)
configured to take in external air toward the outer surface of the
battery case (41).
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
saddle type vehicle may be configured such that the power unit (14)
includes an engine (15) which includes a plurality of cylinders
spaced from each other in a forward and rearward direction of the
vehicle body with the battery case (41) being disposed above the
engine (15). Further, the saddle type vehicle may be configured
such that an air outlet of the cooling fan (100) is positioned
rearwardly of occupant's steps (44, 45) on which a passenger is to
place his/her feet. Further, the saddle type vehicle may be
configured such that an air outlet of the cooling fan (100) is
directed to a rear fender (43) which covers a rear wheel (13).
[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
battery case for accommodating a battery therein is provided in the
space located above the power unit, which is disposed below the
occupants' seat and overlapping with the power unit and the
occupants' seat in the upward and downward direction of the vehicle
body. Further, the cooling fan is a fan, provided at a rear end of
the battery case, of the type which discharges air toward the rear.
Therefore, the battery case can be disposed efficiently making use
of the space defined by the power unit and the seat. In addition,
the battery can be cooled efficiently making use of external air
before being acted upon by the resistance of the cooling fan.
Accordingly, the engine and the electrical component can be cooled
efficiently by the cooling air.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since
the battery case has the fin on the outer surface thereof, the
outer surface area increases, and therefore, the cooling effect for
the battery can be enhanced.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since
the fin is directed to the cooling fan, the heat dissipation area
can be increased without disturbing a flow of air to the cooling
fan, and the cooling effect for the battery can be enhanced
further.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since
the stay for attaching the cooling fan to the battery case is
provided such that it extends in parallel to the fin, the stay does
not disturb a flow of external air advancing toward the cooling fan
along the fin. Further, the cooling fan and the battery case can be
disposed closely to each other by the stay. In addition, the length
of the wiring line path can be easily reduced.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since
the cooling fan is fixed to the center in the vehicle in the
widthwise direction of the rear face of the battery case and the
rotary vane of the cooling fan overlaps with the rear face of the
battery case as viewed in rear elevation, cooling air taken in to
the cooling fan can be contacted efficiently with the outer surface
of the battery case. Consequently, the cooling effect can be easily
raised.
[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since
the cover member for covering the outer surface of the battery case
is provided and has the external air inlet for taking in external
air toward the outer surface of the battery case, external air
taken in by the cooling fan can be contacted positively with the
battery case. Consequently, the cooling effect can be readily
enhanced.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
power unit includes an engine including a plurality of cylinders
spaced from each other in the forward and rearward direction of the
vehicle body and the battery case is disposed above the engine.
Therefore, the space above the engine elongated in the forward and
rearward direction of the vehicle body can be utilized effectively
and the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle can be set
to a suitably high position.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since
the air outlet of the cooling fan is positioned at the rear of the
occupants' steps on which the passengers are to place their feet,
air warmed by heat of the battery can be avoided from contacting
with the feet of the passengers.
[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since
the air outlet of the cooling fan is directed to the rear fender
which covers the rear wheel, air warmed by heat of the battery can
be avoided from contacting with the rear wheel, and an influence of
heat on the rear wheel can be suppressed.
[0021] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
However, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various
changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of a saddle type
vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the saddle type
vehicle;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the saddle type vehicle;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a view depicting a power unit together with
peripheral components;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a view of a right side electrical component case
as viewed from the right side together with a peripheral
structure;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a view of the right side electrical component case
as viewed from the right front side together with a peripheral
structure;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a view of the right side electrical component case
as viewed from the front side together with a peripheral
structure;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a right side rectification
unit;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a view of a battery case as viewed from the right
side together with peripheral components;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a view of the battery case as viewed from an
oblique right rear side together with peripheral components;
[0033] FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B) are views depicting the battery case
and a cooling fan, wherein FIG. 11(A) is a side elevational view
and FIG. 11(B) is a top plan view; and
[0034] FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the battery case and
cooling fans.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] In the following, an embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that,
in the following description, unless otherwise specified,
directions such as forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward
and downward directions are the same as those with regard to a
vehicle body. Further, in the figures, FR denotes a forward
direction of the vehicle body; UP denotes an upward direction of
the vehicle body; and LH denotes a leftward direction of the
vehicle body.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of a saddle type
vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
2 is a front elevational view; and FIG. 3 is a bottom plan
view.
[0037] As depicted in FIGS. 1 to 3, a saddle type vehicle 10 is a
three-wheeled vehicle including a pair of left and right front
wheels 12 and a single rear wheel 13 and is a swing-type vehicle
wherein a vehicle body is swingable to the left and right with
respect to the pair of left and right front wheels 12. Further, the
saddle type vehicle 10 includes a power unit 14 which in turn
includes an engine 15 and a motor 16 (vehicle body driving motor).
In short, the saddle type vehicle 10 is configured as a hybrid
vehicle.
[0038] A vehicle body frame 21 includes a front frame unit 23 (FIG.
2), a main frame unit 25 (FIG. 1) and a seat rail unit 26 (FIG. 1).
The front frame unit 23 supports the pair of left and right front
wheels 12 for upward and downward swinging motion through a pair of
upper and lower arm portions 22 (FIG. 2). The main frame unit 25
supports the power unit 14 at the rear of the front wheels 12 in
front of the rear wheel 13. The seat rail unit 26 is connected to
the main frame unit 25 and supports a seat 17 (occupants' seat)
thereon. It is to be noted that reference numeral 31 depicted in
FIG. 2 and so forth denotes a pair of left and right front shock
absorbers. Each front shock absorbers unit 31 includes a shock
absorber configured from a damper and a compression coil
spring.
[0039] The pair of left and right front wheels 12 are steered to
the left or the right in response to a steering operation of a
handlebar 32 provided at a front upper portion of the vehicle body.
The left and right front wheels 12 are covered with front fenders
33 over a range from above to the rear thereof. In FIGS. 2 and 3 a
tie rod 35 is a part of a steering mechanism for steering the front
wheels 12. A front cowl 36 covers a front side of the vehicle body,
and a windshield 37 is attached to the front cowl 36.
[0040] The main frame unit 25 integrally includes a pair of left
and right main frame main portions 25A (FIG. 1) extending in the
forward and rearward direction of the vehicle body and a pair of
left and right pivot frame portions 25B (FIG. 1) extending
downwardly from the rear of the main frame main portions 25A. The
left and right main frame main portions 25A and pivot frame
portions 25B are formed as a large size frame of a non-circular
cross sectional shape (for example, a substantially elliptical
cross sectional shape or rectangular cross sectional shape)
elongated in a direction along a vertical plane with respect to a
center axial line which passes the center of the frame portions 25A
and pivot frame portions 25B. Further, the left and right main
frame main portions 25A and 25B are formed as a frame which
suppresses the projection to the outer sides in the vehicle
widthwise direction.
[0041] As depicted in FIG. 2, a plurality of (four) engine hangers
14H (FIG. 4) are provided on the upper face of the power unit 14 in
a spaced relationship from each other in the forward and rearward
direction and the leftward and rightward direction. The engine
hangers 14H are fixed to a plurality of brackets 25T (FIG. 1)
provided on the main frame unit 25 by fastening members such as
bolts. Consequently, the power unit 14 is supported in a space
below the pair of left and right main frame main portions 25A in
front of the pair of left and right pivot frame portions 25B.
[0042] Between the pair of left and right main frame main portions
25A above a front portion of the power unit 14, an air cleaner (not
depicted) is disposed, and a fuel tank (not depicted) for storing
fuel to be supplied to the engine 15 is disposed on the air
cleaner. The air cleaner and the fuel tank are covered with a
vehicle body cover 38 and are not visually observed from the
outside of the vehicle body. The seat 17 is disposed in the rear of
the fuel tank and is configured as a saddle type seat to be seated
astride by two occupants (a rider and a passenger).
[0043] Between rear portions of the left and right main frame main
portions 25A above the rear of the power unit 14, a battery case 41
(FIG. 1) for accommodating therein a battery for driving the motor
is disposed.
[0044] The pivot frame portions 25B support a front end of a swing
arm 28 for pivotal motion thereon through a pivot shaft 27. The
swing arm 28 extends rearwardly and supports the rear wheel 13 for
rotation at a rear end thereof. Consequently, the swing arm 28 is
supported for upward and downward swing motion and supports the
rear wheel 13 for upward and downward movement.
[0045] A single rear shock absorber 29 (FIG. 3) is interposed
between the swing arm 28 and the main frame unit 25. As depicted in
FIG. 3, the rear shock absorber 29 is connected at a lower portion
thereof to the swing arm 28 through a link mechanism 30 (FIG. 3).
Further, as depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, the rear shock absorber
29 is supported at an upper portion thereof a shaft part 42 (in the
present configuration, a long axis bolt) which bridges brackets 25C
(FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 hereinafter described) extending rearwardly from
the pair of left and right pivot frame portions 25B.
[0046] It is to be noted that the rear shock absorber 29 is a unit
which integrally includes a damper and a shock absorber configured
from a compression coil spring. Further, a rear fender 43 is
attached to the swing arm 28 and covers a front upper portion of
the rear wheel 13.
[0047] To a lower portion of the pivot frame portions 25B, a pair
of left and right main steps 44 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) on which an
occupant (rider) seated at a front portion of the seat 17 places
his/her feet and a pair of left and right pillion steps 45 (FIG. 1)
on which another occupant (passenger) seated at a rear portion of
the seat 17 places his/her feet are attached. The main steps 44 are
provided in the proximity of a lower portion of the pivot frame
portions 25B. Meanwhile, the pillion steps 45 are attached for
accommodation to brackets 25D (FIG. 1 and FIG. 10 hereinafter
described) which extend rearwardly from a lower portion of the
pivot frame portions 25B.
[0048] The power unit 14 is a unit which integrally includes the
engine 15 and the motor 16. As depicted in FIGS. 1 to 3, the engine
15 is a horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine and has a
crankcase portion 15A provided centrally in the vehicle widthwise
direction for accommodating a crankshaft therein. The engine 15
further has, on the left and right sides of the crankcase portion
15A, cylinder portions 15B which have formed therein a cylinder
chamber in which a piston connected to the crankshaft slidably
moves.
[0049] Each of the left and right cylinder portions 15B has two
cylinders provided in a spaced relationship from each other in the
forward and rearward direction therein and extends to a position at
which it overlaps with the pair of left and right front wheels 12
(FIGS. 2 and 3) as viewed in a front elevational view (FIG. 2). Two
exhaust pipes 46 extend downwardly from each of the pair of left
and right cylinder portions 15B and are bent so as to extend
rearwardly, and an exhaust muffler 47 is connected to ends
thereof.
[0050] The motor 16 is attached to a front face of the crankcase
portion 15A of the engine 15 and functions as a vehicle body
driving motor for driving the crankshaft to rotate. A transmission
mechanism for transmitting rotation of the crankshaft with the
speed thereof changed is accommodated in a rear portion of the
crankcase portion 15A, and output power of the power unit 14 is
transmitted to the rear wheel 13 through the transmission mechanism
and a drive shaft (not depicted) disposed in the swing arm 28 or
the like.
[0051] The disposition of electrical components of the saddle type
vehicle 10 and a structure for cooling the electrical components
are described hereinafter.
[0052] In the saddle type vehicle 10, electrical components whose
heat generation amount is comparatively great are accommodated in
an electrical component case 61 and provided in front of the engine
15 such that the flow of air from the front side of the vehicle
body is shunted and introduced to the engine 15 and the electrical
components by the electrical component case 61. The electrical
component case 61 is supported in front of the engine 15 through a
rectification unit 71 separate from the electrical component case
61 such that the flow of air from the front side of the vehicle
body is introduced to the engine 15 by the rectification unit 71.
Both of the electrical component case 61 and the rectification unit
71 function as a rectification member for introducing a flow of air
from the front side of the vehicle body to the engine 15 and so
forth.
[0053] The electrical components accommodated in the electrical
component case 61 are not provided in a vehicle which does not
include a vehicle body driving motor, and electrical components of
a hybrid vehicle are applied as the electrical components. For
example, the electrical components may include a power conversion
unit for converting electric power of a battery in the battery case
41 into driving power of the motor 16, a control unit for
controlling driving of the motor 16, regeneration into electric
energy and so forth, or a power drive unit (PDU) including such
power conversion unit and control unit, and so forth.
[0054] Since the electrical components of the type described are
parts which generate a great amount of heat and have a
comparatively large size, they require cooling. In addition, these
parts require a wide space for being position on the vehicle. In
the present embodiment, electronic parts configuring the electrical
components are accommodated in allocation in two electrical
component cases 61 of the same shape. One of the electrical
component cases 61 is provided in front of one of the left and
right cylinder portions 15B while the other electrical component
case 61 is provided in front of the other cylinder portion 15B.
[0055] By providing the electrical components in front of the
engine 15, the electrical components can be disposed making use of
a space existing between the engine 15 and the front wheels 12
positioned in front of the engine 15. Accordingly, the disposition
space for the electrical components can be assured readily in
comparison with that in an alternative case in which the
disposition space for the electrical components is provided in the
vehicle body cover 38.
[0056] In addition, since the engine 15 is exposed to the outside,
in comparison with a four-wheeled vehicle or the like in which an
engine of the type described is accommodated in a vehicle body, air
flowing from the front side toward the engine 15 can be contacted
efficiently with the electrical components in front of the engine
15 and the electrical components can be readily cooled. Since also
the motor 16 is disposed forwardly of the engine 15, also the
disposition space for the motor 16 which is a large-size part can
be assured readily and can be readily cooled by the flow of
air.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a view depicting the power unit 14 together with
peripheral components. As depicted in FIG. 4, the left and right
electrical component cases 61 and the left and right rectification
units 71 provided in the power unit 14 are formed in a leftwardly
and rightwardly symmetrical shape with reference to the center in
the widthwise direction of the engine 15. In the following
description, the electrical component case 61 and the rectification
unit 71 on the right side are described together with a peripheral
structure while an overlapping description of those on the left
side is omitted.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a view depicting the right side electrical
component case 61 as viewed from the right side together with a
peripheral structure, and FIG. 6 is a view depicting those as
viewed from the right front side. Further, FIG. 7 is a view
depicting those from the front side. It is to be noted that, in
FIG. 7, the power unit 14 is indicated by alternate long and two
short dashes lines for convenience of explanation. Further, FIG. 8
is a perspective view of the right side rectification unit 71.
[0059] As depicted in FIGS. 5 to 8, the rectification unit 71
includes a rectification unit main body 72 formed from a material
having rigidity such as a metal material or a resin material. The
rectification unit main body 72 is configured from a front frame 73
of a frame shape to which the electrical component case 61 is
attached, and a rear frame 74 extending rearwardly from an outer
side end portion in the vehicle widthwise direction of the front
frame 73.
[0060] The front frame 73 is formed in a frame shape open in the
forward and rearward direction of the vehicle body. More
particularly, the front frame 73 has, on the inner side in the
vehicle widthwise direction, an attachment frame 73A (FIG. 8) to
which the electrical component case 61 is attached. Fastened
portions 76 (FIG. 8) are provided integrally at positions
corresponding to upper, lower, left and right corner portions of
the attachment frame 73A, and a fastening member 80 (FIG. 8) is
inserted from the front side in each of the fastened portions 76.
The fastening members 80 inserted in the fastened portions 76 are
individually fastened to the cylinder portion 15B of the engine 15
to fix the front frame 73 to the engine 15. In FIG. 8, a bridging
frame 73B of a wing shape connects the attachment frame 73A and the
rear frame 74 to each other. A hole portion 77 is provided in the
attachment frame 73A such that a wiring line extending from the
electrical component case 61 is threaded therein.
[0061] The electrical component case 61 is formed from a material
having rigidity and thermal conductivity such as a metal material.
As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the electrical component case 61
integrally includes a case intermediate portion 62 configuring an
intermediate member in the upward and downward direction and a pair
of upper and lower inclined portions 63 and 64 connecting to upper
and lower portions of the case intermediate portion 62,
respectively. Electronic parts configuring the electrical
components are accommodated at least in the case intermediate
portion 62. It is to be noted that, in such a case that the
electrical components are not fully accommodated in the case
intermediate portion 62 or in a like case, part of the electrical
components may be accommodated in the upper and lower inclined
portions 63 and 64.
[0062] A face 62M of the case intermediate portion 62 exposed
forwardly of the vehicle body is a face substantially vertical as
viewed in a side elevational view of the vehicle body and is formed
as an inclined face which is inclined rearwardly toward the outer
side in the vehicle widthwise direction as viewed in a plan view of
the vehicle body (for example, as viewed in a top plan view of the
vehicle body). Consequently, the face 62M functions as a heat
dissipation plate which contacts with the flow of air from the
front side of the vehicle body and efficiently cools heat radiated
from the electronic parts by the flow of air.
[0063] Further, the face 62M functions as a flow rectifying plate
(hereinafter referred to as "first rectifying plate 62M") for
guiding the flow of air from the front side of the vehicle body to
the outer side in the vehicle widthwise direction. In other words,
since the first rectifying plate 62M is directed toward the outer
side in the vehicle widthwise direction of the cylinder portion 15B
of the engine 15, the first rectifying plate 62M functions as a
flow rectifying plate for guiding the flow of air from the front
side of the first rectifying plate 62M to an outer side portion in
the vehicle widthwise direction of the cylinder portion 15B.
[0064] As described above, since the outer side portion of the
cylinder portion 15B in the vehicle widthwise direction overlaps
with the front wheel 12 as viewed in a front elevational view
(FIGS. 2 and 3), a cooling effect by flow of air from the front
side of the front wheels 12 is less likely to be achieved.
Meanwhile, since the electrical component case 61 is positioned on
the inner side of the pair of left and right front wheels 12 as
viewed in a front elevational view of the vehicle body as depicted
in FIG. 2, flow of air passing between the left and right front
wheels 12 flows toward the electrical component case 61.
Consequently, the flow of air flowing between the left and right
front wheels 12 can be guided to an outer side portion in the
vehicle widthwise direction of the cylinder portion 15B, and the
outer side portion in the vehicle widthwise direction of the
cylinder portion 15B can be efficiently cooled.
[0065] As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper side inclined
portion 63 of the electrical component case 61 is inclined
forwardly upwardly over the overall width of the electrical
component case 61 while the lower side inclined portion 64 is
inclined forwardly downwardly over the overall width of the
electrical component case 61. Consequently, faces 63M and 64M of
the upper and lower inclined portions 63 and 64 exposed forwardly
of the vehicle body function as flow rectifying plates (hereinafter
referred to as "second rectifying plates 63M and 64M") for guiding
the flow of air from the front side of the vehicle body to the case
intermediate portion 62. It is to be noted that the inclined
portions 63 and 64 may be formed from plate members such as metal
plates or may be box members which can accommodate electronic parts
and so forth in the inside thereof.
[0066] The upper and lower faces 63M and 64M function also as heat
dissipation plates for dissipating heat of the electrical
components disposed in the electrical component case 61 as heat of
the electrical components is transmitted thereto. Also the second
rectifying plates 63M and 64M are each formed as an inclined face
inclined rearwardly toward the outer side in the vehicle widthwise
direction as viewed in a plan view of the vehicle body similarly to
the first rectifying plate 62M. By the upper and lower second
rectifying plates 63M and 64M, the heat dissipation area can be
increased and the flow of air from the front side of the vehicle
body can be collected efficiently to the case intermediate portion
62 (corresponding to the first rectifying plate 62M) in comparison
with an alternative case in which only the case intermediate
portion 62 is provided.
[0067] Further, on each of the second rectifying plates 63M and
64M, a plurality of recessed and projected portions directed to the
case intermediate portion 62 are formed in a spaced relationship
from each other in the vehicle widthwise direction. By the recessed
and projected portions, the flow of air can be guided with a higher
efficiency from the second rectifying plates 63M and 64M to the
first rectifying plate 62M. Further, the heat dissipation effect
can be improved as the heat dissipation area increases.
Consequently, the first rectifying plate 62M functions as a flow
rectifying plate and a heat dissipation plate directed toward the
engine 15 (cylinder portion 15B), and the upper and lower second
rectifying plates 63M and 64M function as both flow rectifying
plates and heat dissipation plates directed to the electrical
components.
[0068] As depicted in FIG. 7, the upper and lower second rectifying
plates 63M and 64M extend to a position at which opening portions
S1 open in the forward and rearward direction (hereinafter referred
to as "front-rear opening portions S1") are formed between the
second rectifying plates 63M and 64M and the attachment frame 73A
of the front frame 73. Then, the upper and lower second rectifying
plates 63M and 64M integrally include rectifying fins 63F and 64F
extending in the forward and rearward direction of the vehicle body
in the front-rear opening portions S1.
[0069] The upper and lower front-rear opening portions S1 open in
the forward and rearward direction extend over the overall width of
the electrical component case 61 such that the flow of air from the
front side of the vehicle body flows rearwardly past upper and
lower portions of the electrical component case 61. Further, the
plurality of rectifying fins 63F and 64F are provided in a spaced
relationship from each other in the vehicle widthwise direction in
the upper and lower front-rear opening portions S1 such that the
directions of the flow of air passing the front-rear opening
portions S1 are adjusted to the forward and rearward direction of
the vehicle body by the rectifying fins 63F and 64F. Accordingly,
by the front-rear opening portions S1 and the rectifying fins 63F
and 64F, the forward flow of air can be rectified and flows to
upper and lower portions of the cylinder portion 15B positioned at
the rear of the attachment frame 73A, and the cylinder portion 15B
can be efficiently cooled.
[0070] In other words, the rectification unit 71 includes the upper
and lower front-rear opening portions S1 open in the forward and
rearward direction between the rectification unit 71 and the
electrical component case 61 such that part of the flow of air from
the front side of the vehicle body passes through the front-rear
opening portions S1 and comes into contact with the cylinder
portion 15B of the engine 15. In this manner, by the electrical
component case 61 and the rectification unit 71, the flow of air
from the front side of the vehicle body can be introduced to the
cylinder portion 15B of the engine 15 and the electrical components
to efficiently cool the cylinder portion 15B and the electrical
components.
[0071] As depicted in FIG. 4, the front frame 73 of each
rectification unit 71 supports the electrical component case 61
such that an opening portion 73K (FIG. 4) which is open in the
upward and downward direction is formed between the front frame 73
and the front face of the cylinder portion 15B. By the opening
portion 73K, it is possible to form an air passing space into which
the flow of air is introduced or from which internal air is
discharged between the cylinder portion 15B and the electrical
component case 61. Consequently, the engine 15 and the electrical
component case 61 can be positioned accurately in a positional
relationship spaced from each other. Therefore, an expected cooling
effect can be readily achieved, and heat transmission between the
engine 15 and the electrical component case 61 can be efficiently
suppressed.
[0072] Hereinafter, the rear frame 74 of the rectification unit 71
is described.
[0073] The rear frame 74 is a positioning unit positioned on the
rear face of the engine 15 and integrally includes front-rear
extending portions 74A and a bent portion 74B. The front-rear
extending portions 74A extend rearwardly from an end portion on the
outer side in the vehicle widthwise direction of the front frame
73. The bent portion 74B is curved to the inner side in the vehicle
widthwise direction from a rear end of the front-rear extending
portions 74A and is positioned on the rear face of the engine
15.
[0074] The front-rear extending portions 74A connect at a front end
portion thereof to the rear of an end portion of an outer side in
the vehicle widthwise direction of the front frame 73. A fastened
portion 78 is formed at an end portion of the front frame 73 and
has a through-hole in which a fastening member 81 (FIG. 8) is
inserted. Another through-hole is formed at a front end portion of
the rear frame 74 and connects to the through-hole of the fastened
portion 78. Consequently, by threading the fastened portion 78 of
the front frame 73 and a front end portion of the rear frame 74
from the front side with the fastening member 81 and fastening the
fastening member 81 to the cylinder portion 15B of the engine 15,
the front frame 73 and the rear frame 74 can be fastened together
to the cylinder portion 15B. Since the common fastening member 81
is used, a reduction in the number of parts and a simplification of
the mounting and dismounting works can be anticipated.
[0075] The bent portion 74B of the rear frame 74 positions the
rectification unit 71 to the engine 15 by hooking the bent portion
74B on a rear face of the cylinder portion 15B of the engine 15. It
is to be noted that not the hooking structure but a different
positioning structure such as a fastening structure may be used to
position the rectification unit 71 to the engine 15.
[0076] In the present configuration, since the rectification unit
main body 72 is fastened to the front face of the cylinder portion
15B of the engine 15 and positioned on the rear face of the
cylinder portion 15B, the rectification unit 71 and the cylinder
portion 15B can be positioned with high accuracy.
[0077] The front-rear extending portions 74A of the rear frame 74
extend along the forward and rearward direction between a front end
portion of the rear frame 74 and the bent portion 74B and are
provided in an upwardly and downwardly spaced relationship from
each other. The upper and lower front-rear extending portions 74A
are formed in a projecting shape (also called rib shape) having a
projected cross section projecting to an outer side in the vehicle
widthwise direction and extending linearly in the forward and
rearward direction of the vehicle body. Consequently, each of the
front-rear extending portions 74A functions as a rectifier for
adjusting the flow of air to the forward and rearward direction of
the vehicle body. Thus, each front-rear extending portions 74A
contributes to improvement in rectilinearly advancing performance
of the saddle type vehicle 10 and functions as an engine guard
which protects the engine 15.
[0078] Further, an opening portion 74K connecting to the cylinder
portion 15B of the engine 15 is formed between the front-rear
extending portions 74A of the projecting shape described above.
Consequently, the flow of air is likely to be introduced to the
cylinder portion 15B side through the opening portion 74K. By this
construction, the cooling effect of the engine 15 can be readily
improved.
[0079] Here, plug sockets 85 are attached to a face of the cylinder
portion 15B on the outer side in the vehicle widthwise direction as
depicted in FIG. 5 and so forth and are connected to an ignition
plug disposed in the inside of the cylinder portion 15B. In the
present configuration, the upper and lower front-rear extending
portions 74A are disposed at a position at which they overlap with
the plug sockets 85 as viewed in side elevation of the vehicle
body. Plug cables (not depicted) connecting to the plug sockets 85
are laid out along the rear face of the front-rear extending
portions 74A. Consequently, the front-rear extending portions 74A
function also as protective members for protecting the plug sockets
85 and the plug cables.
[0080] Further, as depicted in FIG. 5, the upper and lower
front-rear extending portions 74A are disposed at a position
wherein they do not overlap with fastening portions existing around
the plug sockets 85 and a cylinder head cover 86 as viewed in a
side elevation view. Consequently, access to the various fastening
portions and mounting and dismounting of the cylinder head cover 86
can be performed without removing the rectification unit 71 from
the engine 15.
[0081] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the
electrical component case 61 which accommodates electrical
components therein is provided in front of the engine 15 and
functions as a rectification member integrated with the electrical
components for shunting and introducing the flow of air to the
engine 15 and the electrical components. Therefore, the engine 15
and the electrical components can be cooled efficiency by cooling
air. In addition, it is possible to efficiently utilize the space
in front of the engine 15.
[0082] The electrical component case 61 has the flow rectifying
plates (first rectifying plate 62M and second rectifying plates 63M
and 64M) directed to the engine 15 and the electrical components.
Therefore, the flow of air can be introduced precisely to the
engine 15 and the electrical components by the flow rectifying
plates.
[0083] Since the electrical component case 61 is provided inwardly
of the pair of left and right front wheels 12, the engine 15 and
the electrical components can be cooled efficiently utilizing the
flow of air which is not disturbed by the front wheels 12.
[0084] The electrical component case 61 includes the rectification
unit 71 which is formed as a separate member from the electrical
components and functions as a different rectification member for
introducing the flow of air to the engine 15. The rectification
unit 71 integrally includes the front frame 73 (electrical
component attachment portion) to which an electrical component is
attached through the electrical component case 61 and the bent
portion 74B which positions the rectification unit 71 to the engine
15. Further, since the opening portion 73K which forms an air
passing space is provided between an electrical component
(electrical component case 61) and the engine 15, it is easy to
assure the positioning accuracy between the electrical component
and the engine 15, and an expected cooling effect can be easily
obtained. Further, heat transmission between the engine 15 and the
electrical component can be effectively suppressed.
[0085] The front-rear extending portions 74A which function as
rectifiers extending in the forward and rearward direction of the
vehicle body are provided between the front frame 73 (electrical
component attachment portion) to which an electrical component is
attached and the rear frame 74 (positioning unit) positioned on the
engine 15. Therefore, a flow air is adjusted to the forward and
rearward direction of the vehicle body, and this is advantageous in
an improvement in the rectilinearly advancing performance of the
saddle type vehicle 10.
[0086] The front-rear extending portions 74A are formed in a
projecting shape projecting to the outer side in the vehicle
widthwise direction with respect to the engine 15. Therefore, the
strength of the front-rear extending portions 74A can be enhanced
efficiently, and therefore, the front-rear extending portions 74A
can be used also as an engine guard.
[0087] The rectification unit 71 has the plurality of front-rear
extending portions 74A of a projecting shape and has the opening
portion 74K, which is directed to the engine 15, between the
front-rear extending portions 74A. Therefore, the flow of air can
be introduced to the engine 15 side through the opening portion
74K. In addition, this also makes it easy to enhance the cooling
effect for the engine 15.
[0088] The engine 15 is a multi-cylinder engine including a
plurality of cylinders spaced from each other in the forward and
rearward direction of the vehicle body, and the front-rear
extending portions 74A are provided forwardly and rearwardly across
the engine 15. Therefore, the front-rear extending portions 74A can
be provided long making use of the forward-rearward length of the
engine 15 which is long in the forward and rearward direction.
Accordingly, a rectification effect, an engine protection effect
and an engine cooling effect by the front-rear extending portions
74A can be improved readily.
[0089] The rectification unit 71 includes the front-rear opening
portions S1, which are open in the forward and rearward direction,
between the rectification unit 71 and the electrical component case
61, and the flow of air passing through the front-rear opening
portions S1 is contacted with the engine 15. Therefore, the cooling
effect for the engine 15 can be improved further. In addition,
since the electrical component case 61 includes the rectifying fins
63F and 64F extending in the forward and rearward direction of the
vehicle body in the front-rear opening portions S1, the flow of air
can be introduced with a higher degree of certainty to the engine
15 thereby to improve the cooling effect.
[0090] It is to be noted that the electrical component case 61 and
the rectification unit 71 described above may be modified suitably
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Further, while it is described that the electrical
components accommodated in the electrical component case 61 are
unique electrical components the hybrid vehicle has, the electrical
components may be other electrical components which generate
heat.
[0091] Now, a cooling structure for a battery for driving the
vehicle body of the saddle type vehicle 10 is described.
[0092] FIG. 9 is a view of the battery case 41 as viewed from the
right side together with peripheral components, and FIG. 10 is a
view depicting those as viewed from the oblique right rear
side.
[0093] The battery in the battery case 41 has a large capacity
because it is a power supply for driving the power unit 14 and
generates a relatively great amount of heat. Therefore, the saddle
type vehicle 10 is configured such that a cooling fan 100 is
provided at a rear end of the battery case 41 such that air
forwardly of the cooling fan 100 is discharged rearwardly by the
cooling fan 100 as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. Consequently, the
battery case 41 is air-cooled to suppress a temperature rise of the
battery in the battery case 41.
[0094] According to the cooling structure described above, since
the battery case 41 is cooled utilizing air on the front side which
is the upstream side with respect to the cooling fan 100, air
before it is resisted by the cooling fan 100 can be used
efficiently to cool the battery. Although strictly a flow speed
drop is caused by an influence of the passing resistance through
the cooling fan 100 also on the upstream side of the cooling fan
100, the flow speed dropping amount is small in comparison with
that on the downstream side of the cooling fan 100. Thus, the
amount of cooling air for cooling the battery is assured to be as
greater as possible. Accordingly, the battery can be efficiently
cooled.
[0095] Further, when the cooling fan 100 stops, the battery case 41
can be cooled utilizing the flow of air from the front side of the
vehicle body. Also in this case, the flow of air on the front side
which is the upstream side of the cooling fan 100 is contacted with
the battery case 41 to cool the battery case 41. Therefore, the
battery can be cooled efficiently utilizing the flow of air before
it is resisted by the cooling fan 100. In the following, the
components of the battery case 41 and the cooling fan 100 are
described together with peripheral components.
[0096] The battery case 41 is disposed utilizing a dead space above
the engine 15 below the seat 17 between the left and right main
frame units 25 and the seat rail unit 26 as depicted in FIGS. 9 and
10. It is to be noted that the left and right main frame units 25
and the seat rail unit 26 are formed in a leftwardly and
rightwardly symmetrical shape with reference to the center in the
vehicle widthwise direction.
[0097] The seat rail unit 26 includes a first seat rail portion 26A
which supports the seat 17 thereon, and a pair of left and right
second seat rail portions 26B which connect the first seat rail
portion 26A and the left and right main frame units 25 to each
other, respectively. Each of the second seat rail portions 26B is
formed as a frame of a substantially triangular shape which
indicates increase in upward and downward length toward the rear,
and serves as a side cover which covers part of a side portion of
the vehicle body.
[0098] Each of the second seat rail portions 26B is fixed to the
main frame unit 25 by a fastening member 101 (in the present
configuration, a bolt) in FIG. 9 and the shaft part 42 (in the
present configuration, a long axis bolt) which supports an upper
portion of the rear shock absorber 29. In other words, the second
seat rail portions 26B and the upper portion of the rear shock
absorber 29 are fixed to the main frame unit 25 by fastening
together. Consequently, the number of parts is reduced.
[0099] As depicted in FIG. 9, a rear portion of the battery case 41
and the cooling fan 100 are disposed in an overlapping relationship
with each other as viewed in side elevation between the left and
right second seat rail portions 26B. A front portion of the battery
case 41 is disposed between the pair of left and right main frame
units 25. Consequently, part of the vehicle body frame 21 (second
seat rail portions 26B and main frame units 25) can be used also as
a cover member for covering the battery case 41 and the cooling fan
100. Accordingly, the battery case 41 and the cooling fan 100 can
be protected such that they cannot be accessed readily from the
outside.
[0100] On each of the second seat rail portions 26B, an opening
portion 26K (FIG. 9) is formed at a position at which the second
seat rail portion 26B overlaps with the battery case 41 as viewed
in a side elevation view. This opening portion 26K functions as a
lightening hole for lightening the second seat rail portion 26B and
functions also as an external air inlet for taking in external air
toward an outer surface of the battery case 41 in the proximity of
the cooling fan 100.
[0101] By taking in external air from the opening portion 26K by
the cooling fan 100, the external air can be positively contacted
with the battery case 41.
[0102] The opening portion 26K is covered with a porous structure
member 103 through which air can pass. The porous structure member
103 is formed as a lattice body having a large number of
through-holes directed in a rearwardly inward direction and is
formed, for example, as a molded part of a resin. This porous
structure member 103 directs external air passing through the
opening portion 26K toward the rear inner side. Consequently,
external air passing through the opening portion 26K can flow with
a high degree of efficiency toward the battery case 41 and the
cooling fan 100.
[0103] It is to be noted that the porous structure member 103 is
not limited to a lattice body directed in a rearwardly inward
direction but may be a net-like body of a simple porous structure.
Further, the second seat rail portions 26B which cover the outer
sides of the battery case 41 in the vehicle widthwise direction are
parts having rigidity, and the battery case 41 may be supported on
the second seat rail portions 26B.
[0104] Also on the main frame unit 25, an opening portion 25K (FIG.
9) is formed at a position at which it overlaps with the battery
case 41 as viewed in side elevation. The opening portion 25K is
provided in a region overlapping with a front portion of the
battery case 41 and functions as a lightening hole for lightening
the main frame unit 25 and also as an external air inlet for taking
in external air toward the outer surface of a front portion of the
battery case 41. Consequently, external air can be contacted
efficiently with the outer surface of the battery case 41 on the
inner side of the main frame unit 25.
[0105] As depicted in FIG. 10, a porous structure member 105 is
disposed in the rear of the cooling fan 100 and is attached in such
a manner so as to cover a region between rear ends of the left and
right second seat rail portions 26B. The porous structure member
105 is formed from a member which does not disturb the discharge of
air by the cooling fan 100 and besides restricts access to the
cooling fan 100 from the outside. In the present configuration, a
lattice body having a porous structure having porosities
penetrating in the forward and rearward direction is used.
[0106] As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the present configuration,
at least a rear end of the cooling fan 100 is disposed in the rear
of the occupants' steps (main steps 44 (FIG. 1) and pillion steps
45 (FIGS. 1 and 10)) in front of the rear fender 43 which covers
the rear wheel 13. Consequently, the air outlet of the cooling fan
100 (corresponding to a rear end portion of the cooling fan 100 or
the porous structure member 105 at the rear of the cooling fan 100)
is positioned in the rear of the occupants' steps 44 and 45.
Therefore, air warmed by heat of the battery can be avoided from
contacting with the feet of the occupants. Further, since the air
outlet of the cooling fan 100 is directed toward the rear fender 43
as depicted in FIG. 10, air warmed by heat of the battery can be
avoided from contacting with the rear wheel 13, and consequently, a
thermal influence on the rear wheel 13 can be suppressed.
[0107] FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B) are views depicting the battery case
41 and the cooling fan 100. In particular, FIG. 11(A) is a side
elevational view, and FIG. 11(B) is a top plan view. Further, FIG.
12 is a rear elevational view.
[0108] As depicted in FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B), the battery case 41
integrally includes a case main body 111 in which a battery is
accommodated, and a plurality of fins 112 provided on the case main
body 111.
[0109] The case main body 111 is formed in a box shape of a
parallelepiped and is structured such that it does not allow for
the invasion of rain water and so forth. The case main body 111 is
configured from a front plate 111A, a rear plate 111B, a pair of
left and right side plates 111C, a top plate 111D and a bottom
plate 111E which cover the front, rear, left, right, upper and
lower sides of the case main body 111. The case main body 111 is
formed in a flattened shape having a vertical length shorter than a
length in the forward and rearward direction and in an elongated
shape having a leftward and rightward length shorter than a length
in the forward and rearward direction. Consequently, the case main
body 111 can be disposed making use of a space which appears above
the engine 15 below the seat 17 between the left and right main
frame units 25 and seat rail unit 26. By this disposition, the
space located above the engine 15 below the seat 17 and overlapping
with the engine 15 and the seat 17 in the upward and downward
direction of the vehicle body can be utilized effectively to
dispose the battery case 41.
[0110] As depicted in FIG. 11(B), each of the left and right side
plates 111C of the case main body 111 is formed as an inclined side
plate inclined to the inner side in the vehicle widthwise direction
toward the rear, and the rear plate 111B which covers a space
between rear ends of the left and right side plates 111C has a
width significantly smaller than that of the front plate 111A.
Consequently, the front side of the cooling fan 100 (upstream side
of the cooling fan 100) is not blocked by the case main body 111,
and it becomes easier for the cooling fan 100 to take in air.
Consequently, the air blow amount of the cooling fan 100 can be
increased efficiently.
[0111] The cooling fan 100 is formed as an axial flow fan wherein
rotary vanes 100B are provided in a tubular housing 100A and a
small-sized motor 100C is provided in front of the rotary vanes
100B. Actually, a plurality of (two in the present configuration)
cooling fans 100 are disposed in a spaced relationship from each
other in the leftward and rightward direction. Consequently, while
the vertical space necessary for disposition of the cooling fans
100 is suppressed, the air blow amount is increased.
[0112] The fins 112 are formed from a plate member having thermal
conductivity such as a metal material and are provided on an outer
surface of the case main body 111 to efficiently increase the outer
surface area of the battery case 41. Consequently, the heat
dissipation area for heat transmitted from the battery to the
battery case 41 can be efficiently increased to enhance the cooling
effect.
[0113] The plurality of fins 112 are provided integrally on the
pair of left and right side plates 111C and are directed toward the
cooling fan 100. More particularly, the fins 112 are inclined fins
each in the form of a plate extending linearly in a rearwardly
upward direction toward the inlet of the cooling fan 100 and are
provided in parallel to each other over the substantially entire
region of the side plates 111C. By the fins 112, the contact area
with air can be assured efficiently and the cooling effect can be
effectively enhanced without disturbing a flow of air to the
cooling fans 100. It is to be noted that further fins of the type
described may be provided in addition to those on the side plates
111C of the battery case 41.
[0114] As depicted in FIG. 11(B), some of the plurality of fins 112
which neighbor most with the cooling fan 100 (those fins which
extend to the rear plate 111B of the battery case 41 and are
positioned up to the sixth fin from the bottom in FIG. 11(A)) are
formed in a shape that a rear end portion 121X expands in a
vehicle-widthwise direction. Consequently, air can be rectified to
a location just before the cooling fan 100, and both an increase of
the air blow amount and an increase of the heat exchanging area are
achieved and it becomes easy to further improve the cooling effect
of the battery.
[0115] Each of the cooling fans 100 is attached to a rear face of
the battery case 41 (rear plate 111B) through a stay 121.
[0116] The stay 121 is fixed to the center in the vehicle widthwise
direction of the rear face of the battery case 41 and disposed in
parallel to the fins 112 of the battery case 41. More particularly,
the stay 121 has a base end portion 121A fixed to the rear plate
111B of the battery case 41 and a plurality of (in the present
configuration, two) plate-like stays 121B attached in an upwardly
and downwardly spaced relationship from each other to the base end
portion 121A. The stay 121 supports the cooling fan 100 on the
plate-like stays 121B.
[0117] The base end portion 121A is a member of a width reduced
from that of the rear plate 111B and does not disturb a flow of
external air advancing toward the cooling fan 100 around the
battery case 41. Further, each plate-like stay 121B has a form of a
plate extending to the outer side in the vehicle widthwise
direction from the base end portion 121A, and is disposed in
parallel to the fins 112 as viewed in a side elevation and overlaps
with some of the fins 112 as viewed in the side elevation.
Consequently, the stay 121 does not disturb a flow of external air
advancing toward the cooling fan 100 along the fins 112, and a
rectification effect similar to that anticipated by the fins 112
can be anticipated.
[0118] As depicted in FIG. 12, the cooling fans 100 are disposed
adjacent each other in the vehicle widthwise direction and overlap
with a rear face of the battery case 41 and a rear face of the fins
112 as viewed in a rear elevational view. More particularly, the
housing 100A and the rotary vanes 100B of the cooling fan 100
remain within a range of a region surrounding the rear face of the
battery case 41 and the rear face of the fins 112. Consequently,
cooling air taken in to the cooling fan 100 can be contacted
substantially wholly with the battery case 41 and the fins 112, and
efficient cooling can be anticipated thereby.
[0119] As depicted in FIG. 12, the battery case 41 has pawl
portions 125 engaged with the left and right second seat rail
portions 26B which cover the outer sides in the vehicle widthwise
direction of the battery case 41. The battery case 41 can be
positioned with respect to the second seat rail portions 26B by the
pawl portions 125. Since the second seat rail portions 26B are
frame parts having rigidity, displacement of the battery case 41
can be suppressed effectively making use of the rigidity of the
second seat rail portions 26B.
[0120] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the
battery case 41 for accommodating a battery therein is provided in
the space located above the engine 15 configuring part of the power
unit 14 below the seat 17 (occupants' seat) and overlapping with
the engine 15 and the seat 17 in the upward and downward direction
of the vehicle body. Further, the cooling fan 100 for discharging
air toward the rear is provided at a rear end of the battery case
41. Therefore, the battery can be cooled efficiently making use of
external air (including a flow of air from the front side of the
vehicle body) before it is acted upon by resistance of the cooling
fan 100. Accordingly, the battery case 41 can be disposed
efficiently utilizing the space defined by the power unit 14 and
the seat 17, and the battery can be cooled efficiently by a simple
configuration in comparison with a conventional configuration
wherein an introduction path for external air is provided and a
cooling fan is provided in the introduction path.
[0121] Since the battery case 41 has the fins 112 on the outer
surface thereof, the outer surface area increases, and therefore,
the cooling effect for the battery can be greatly enhanced. In
addition, since the fins 112 are directed to the cooling fan 100,
the heat dissipation area can be increased without disturbing a
flow of air to the cooling fan 100, and the cooling effect for the
battery can be further enhanced.
[0122] Since the stay 121 for attaching the cooling fan 100 to the
battery case 41 is provided such that the stay 121 extends in
parallel to the fins 112, it does not disturb a flow of external
air advancing toward the cooling fan 100 along the fins 112.
Further, since the cooling fan 100 and the battery case 41 can be
disposed closely to each other, the disposition space for the
cooling fan 100 and the battery case 41 can be reduced. In
addition, the length of the wiring line path interconnecting the
cooling fan 100 and the battery case 41 can be easily reduced.
[0123] Since the cooling fan 100 is fixed to the center in the
vehicle widthwise direction of the rear face of the battery case 41
and the rotary vanes 100B of the cooling fan 100 overlap with the
rear face of the battery case 41 as viewed in rear elevation,
cooling air taken into the cooling fan 100 can be contacted
efficiently with the outer surface of the battery case 41.
Consequently, the cooling effect can be easily raised.
[0124] Since the second seat rail portions 26B configuring part of
the seat rail unit 26 serve also as a cover member for covering the
outer surface of the battery case 41 and also has the external air
inlet (opening portion 26K) for taking in external air toward the
outer surface of the battery case 41, external air taken in by the
cooling fan 100 can be contacted positively with the battery case
41. Consequently, the cooling effect can be readily enhanced.
[0125] The engine 15 is a multi-cylinder engine including a
plurality of cylinders spaced from each other in the forward and
rearward direction of the vehicle body and the battery case 41 is
disposed above the engine 15. Therefore, the space above the engine
15, elongated in the forward and rearward direction of the vehicle
body, can be utilized effectively, which is advantageous in
compactification of the vehicle. Further, since the battery having
a comparatively high weight is provided above the engine 15, the
position of the center of gravity of the vehicle can be set to a
suitably high position.
[0126] Since the air outlet of the cooling fan 100 is positioned at
the rear of the occupants' steps (main steps 44 and pillion steps
45) on which the passengers place their feet, air warmed by heat of
the battery can be avoided from contacting with the feet of the
passengers.
[0127] Furthermore, since the air outlet of the cooling fan 100 is
directed to the rear fender 43 which covers the rear wheel 13, air
warmed by heat of the battery can be avoided from contacting with
the rear wheel 13, and an influence of heat on the rear wheel 13
can be suppressed.
[0128] It is to be noted that the battery case 41 and the cooling
fan 100 described above can be modified suitably without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0129] Further, the engine 15 is not limited to a horizontal
multi-cylinder engine, but engines including a plurality of
cylinders spaced from each other in the forward and rearward
direction of the vehicle body such as a V-type two-cylinder engine
or a V-type four-cylinder engine can be widely applied.
[0130] While it is described in the foregoing description of the
embodiment that the present invention is applied to the saddle type
vehicle 10 depicted in FIG. 1, the application of the present
invention is not limited to this, but the present invention may be
applied to various saddle type vehicles such as a motorcycle, a
three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle such as an ATV
(all-terrain vehicle).
[0131] Further, while it is described in the foregoing description
of the embodiment that the present invention is applied to a hybrid
vehicle having the engine 15 and the motor 16 as driving sources,
the application of the present invention is not limited to this,
but the present invention can be applied to a vehicle which
includes only the engine 15 as a driving source.
[0132] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
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